Below is information for our upcoming EPBA Class VIII, but note that dates and other details are subject to change until applications open.
EPBA VIII Application will open in Fall 2023
About EPBA: Building on the success of the UC Davis Plant Breeding Academy in the United States, UC Davis is partnering with European institutions and associations to offer Class VII of the European Plant Breeding Academy. This premier training program targets working professionals who desire to become fully trained plant breeders. The course totals 36 days in length--the longest course of its kind in Europe. Participants will meet for six, 6-day sessions over two years. This schedule will allow participants to maintain their current employment while enrolled in the course. All instruction will be in English.
Course goal: This course develops the skills and abilities of current industry personnel to enable them to become independent breeders or more valuable contributors to larger breeding programs.
Who should attend? The course is targeted toward personnel currently involved in plant breeding programs who lack the academic background in genetics theory and practice to advance as independent breeders. Current breeders who desire a refresher course or would like to broaden their expertise would also be potential participants.
Class locations and dates:
Session 1-5 of the EPBA course are located in European countries and session 6 takes place at UC Davis in California, USA. Sessions 1, 2, 3 & 6 are five days in length, and sessions 4 & 5 are six days in length. In-person attendance at all six sessions is required to graduate.
EPBA VIII Dates:
Year 1
March 10-14, 2025 – Enkhuizen, Netherlands
June 16-20, 2025 – Angers, France
October 6-10, 2025 – Gatersleben, Germany
Year 2
March 16-21, 2026 – Gent, Belgium
June 15-20, 2026 – Almeria, Spain
October 5-9, 2026 – Davis, CA
(These dates are tentative until EPBA VIII applications open and subject to change by UC Davis at any time)
Applications & Tuition:
Application Process: To provide a personalized learning environment, the program is limited to 20 participants. Applicants should complete the online form and separately email a resume in order to be considered for enrollment. Applicants' background and experience will be reviewed to ensure they meet the minimal requirements before acceptance. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science degree (or demonstrate equivalent professional experience) and have taken introductory courses in statistics and genetics. Practical experience, academic standing (GPA or equivalent) and rationale for participation in the Academy will be evaluated. Among applicants meeting the program requirements, acceptance will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Acceptance is not secured until paperwork is signed and the deposit is received.
Tuition: (All EPBA pricing is in Euros) The cost of participating is 21,000 Euros (or 20,000 Euros if you apply before the early registration deadline), which includes all course materials and fees, along with lunches and breaks during the six sessions. Additional tours of seed research and production facilities will also be incorporated into each session. The tours are designed to balance the classroom instruction with seed and agricultural industry experiences in each of the five host countries. Travel, accommodations and other meals during in-residence sessions are not included. A non-refundable deposit of 1,000 Euros will be due within 30 days of acceptance into the Academy, and will be applied toward tuition.
An invoice requesting the balance of the first year's tuition (half of the total tuition, after the deposit is paid) will be sent minimum three months prior to the start of the course. The second tuition payment will be due prior to the start of the second year. Exact due dates will be listed on your invoice document. No refunds will be issued after a payment is made. Payment procedures will be provided to applicants following acceptance into the Academy.
EPBA Instructors & Curriculum:
The UC Davis European Plant Breeding Academy is designed to balance lectures, discussions, workshops and field trips with commercial breeders to enhance the experience across breeding systems, crops and countries.
Primary Instructors:
- Alexandra Tomerius (AIB)
- Rita Mumm (University of Illinois)
- Jovan Djordjevic (UC Davis)
- Allen Van Deynze (UC Davis)
- Kent Bradford (UC Davis)
- Robert Dirks (Managerial Genetics Consulting)
- Jaap Hoogstraten
Learn More About the EPBA Instructors
Guest Instructors (partial list):
- Bruce Walsh (University of Arizona)
- Roger Chetelat (UC Davis)
- Charles Brummer (UC Davis)
- Contribution by numerous scientists and breeders in host countries (partial list here)
Curriculum:
The curriculum is being developed by instructors with input from industry leaders. The following topics will be covered during each course:
Introduction to plant breeding
- Plant breeding objectives
- Germplasm resources
- Crop evolution
- Reproductive systems
Statistics
- Probabilities
- Analysis of variance
- Mean separations
- Linear regression
- Analysis of covariance
- Experimental designs
Genetics
- Transmission genetics
- Population genetics (HW, selection, migration, mutation)
- Inbreeding
- Quantitative genetics model
- Breeding value
- Covariance among relatives
- Theory of heterosis
Selection theory
- Heritability
- Principles of selection and the gain equation
- Extension to relevant selection models
Recombination and population development
- Selection limits
- Effective population size
- Linkage drag
- Fixing favorable alleles
- Polyploidy
- Interspecific hybridization
Selection methods
- Single trait selection: mass selection, line selection, multiple stage selection
- Multiple trait selection: independent culling, tandem selection, selection indices
- Indirect selection methods: theory
- Linkage disequilibrium
- Indirect selection methods: conventional breeding
Establishing and monitoring goals and priorities
- Population improvement vs cultivar development
- Minimum standards, intermediate optima, and directional response
Breeding methods
- Line Breeding: bulk, pedigree, backcross
- Population improvement
- Inbred line development
- Evaluating hybrids and combining ability
Breeding with Molecular Markers
- Bases and availability of markers
- Population structure
- Parental selection
- QTL
- Bioinformatics/Databases
- Marker assisted selection and backcrossing
- Genomic selection
Genotype by environment interactions
- GxE and decisions in population development
- Genetic correlation: treatment of GxE
- Selection environment: single vs multiple environments
- Designs to control GxE
- Variance component analysis
Breeding systems
- Breeding for hybrids
- Genetic control of pollination: sex expression, self-incompatibility, male sterility
- Breeding cultivars
- Breeding clones
- Breeding populations (synthetics)
Resistance breeding
- Diseases
- Insects
- Abiotic stress
Special topics
- Mutation breeding
- Biotechnology (transgenic)
- Reverse breeding
- Mechanization in plant breeding
- Counter season nurseries
- High throughput phenotyping
- Data management
Finishing varieties
- Cultivars vs hybrids
- Protecting varieties and intellectual property
- Seed certification
- Seed production, biology and quality
Advanced module (optional)
- Multivariate selection
- Linear and mixed models
- BLUPs
- Advanced genomic selection
- Advanced experimental designs
If you have specific questions about the curriculum covered in EPBA, please contact SBC Director of Education, Jovan Djordjevic at jdjordjevic@ucdavis.edu.
If you have any other questions about EPBA or your application, contact Whitney Lowe at wlowe@ucdavis.edu.